California gull (Larus californicus) space use and timing of movements in relation to landfills and breeding colonies

Waterbirds
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Abstract

Expanding gull (Laridae) populations throughout the world have been attributed to the availability of anthropogenic food subsidies. The influence of landfills on California Gull (Larus californicus) space use and the timing of their movements was evaluated in San Francisco Bay, California, USA. Using radio telemetry, 108 California Gulls were tracked, > 7,000 locations were recorded, and > 1 million detections were obtained at automated logger systems placed at the two main landfills and three major breeding colonies. Population home range (31-35 km2) and core use areas (2-3 km2) overlapped landfills and colonies, and expanded after breeding. California Gull attendance at landfills (1.6-19.0 km from colonies) increased throughout breeding and post-breeding, whereas attendance at colonies was low during pre-breeding (20%-40% per day), increased during breeding (60%-80% per day), and declined into and during post-breeding (< 20% per day). California Gull attendance at landfills was greatest when garbage was delivered from 06:00 hr in the morning until 18:00 hr at night. In contrast, California Gull attendance at colonies during breeding was greater at night from 20:00 hr to 05:00 hr (50%-70% per hr) than during the day from 06:00 hr to 18:00 hr (30%-40% per hr). Landfills played a predominant role in California Gull space use and the timing of their movements in this highly urbanized estuary.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title California gull (Larus californicus) space use and timing of movements in relation to landfills and breeding colonies
Series title Waterbirds
DOI 10.1675/063.041.0402
Volume 41
Issue 4
Year Published 2018
Language English
Publisher Waterbird Society
Contributing office(s) Western Ecological Research Center
Description 17 p.
First page 384
Last page 400
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial South San Francisco Bay
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